Third time is a charm for Miesha Tate

The bout was Holm’s first title defence since her shock second round knockout victory over the then-undefeated Ronda Rousey at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium.

Holm looked to have control of Tate, but a last ditch effort from the challenger to submit the champion paid dividends.

The fight was always going to be a danger for Holm given the UFC’s ultimate drawcard was a direct Rousey re-match, but with ‘Rowdy’ unavailable until the end of the year, Holm decided to defend her title against Tate.

UFC President Dana White mooted the possibility that Ronda Rousey would get the next shot at the Bantamweight champion in a post-match press conference; saying no matter who won at UFC 196, the victor would always face Rousey.

“No, I think that Ronda will now fight Miesha Tate for the title – that’s what’s gonna happen … that’s what I said before this fight even happened. Whoever wins tonight will fight Ronda for the title.” White said.

The UFC president has been in constant contact with the former champion and believes we will not see Rousey back in the octagon until much later in the year.

“Ronda Rousey has worked very hard for three and a half years for this company,” he said.

“She did everything that was asked, and went above and beyond the call of duty. If she wants to stay out until October, I will let her do that.”

Despite the president all but coming out and saying Tate vs. Rousey III is going ahead, not everyone is a believer.

In the eyes of the bookmakers, the more likely scenario is Holm vs. Rousey II with the winner earning the right to face Miesha Tate for the title.

Tate said she has no idea who her next opponent will be.

“All I want to do next is have some beer and a cupcake. I’ll talk to my management team and then we’ll see what happens. I’m here to fight the best.” Tate said.

WilliamHill believes the UFC will make Holm and Rousey battle it out for the right to face Tate and have already released odds on the potential fight, which has no set timeline: